The NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 frozen bodies of water are rapidly melting as spring takes hold.

While that may be good news for residents waiting to get their boats in the water, the thaw also presents serious risk. For example, look no farther than Mosher Island, a small island southeast of Yellowknife, where two vehicles plunged into frigid waters after their drivers attempted to traverse the thinning ice during the April 20-21 weekend.

The drivers and passengers of the two vehicles SA国际影视传媒� a snowmobile and a Suzuki side-by-side with an added camper component SA国际影视传媒� emerged from the incident unscathed, according to witness Jeremy MacDonald. However, both vehicles had to be hauled from the water, and are now drying out in a nearby shop. Things certainly could have ended up much worse than that.

SA国际影视传媒淎 sudden fall into cold water can result in cold-water shock,SA国际影视传媒� said Madison Lalonde, the director of communications and public education at the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, an organization that aims to prevent water-related injury in both regions.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur breathing, muscle strength, coordination and overall decision-making are greatly affected by cold water, making drowning more likely for even the strongest of swimmers,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t is recommended to stop using ice once spring thaws begin. Even if ice measures at the right thickness, consistent thawing and refreezing of ice weakens the ice vertically and it can no longer be trusted.

SA国际影视传媒淓ven ice sections that are very close together can have very different thicknesses.SA国际影视传媒�

Great care should always be taken by anybody who is considering venturing out onto a frozen body of water.

SA国际影视传媒淎lways avoid ice over moving water or fluctuating water levels,SA国际影视传媒� said Lalonde. SA国际影视传媒淏eware of snow buildup. Snow acts like an insulating blanket. Ice under the snow will be thinner and weaker.SA国际影视传媒�

One of the most important things for anybody who goes out onto the ice, she emphasized, is to SA国际影视传媒渘ever go on ice alone.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淎 buddy may be able to assist you or get help if you are in trouble,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

It is also important to ensure you are carrying the necessary supplies, including a lifejacket, which can be SA国际影视传媒渨orn over your snowmobile suit or layered winter clothes to increase your survival chances if you do go through the ice.SA国际影视传媒�

She also recommends carrying ice picks, an ice staff, rope, and a small personal safety kit. The safety kit should include items like a lighter, waterproof matches, a magnesium fire starter, a pocketknife, a compass, a whistle and a cellphone,SA国际影视传媒� she advised.

If disaster strikes and you fall through ice, Lalonde said itSA国际影视传媒檚 important not to panic, to SA国际影视传媒済et as much of your body out of the water as you can,SA国际影视传媒� and to call for help immediately.

She also emphasized the importance of the SA国际影视传媒�1:10:1SA国际影视传媒� rule, which can be summarized as follows:

Begin by taking one minute to get your breathing under control. SA国际影视传媒淭his is how long it takes for your body to overcome the initial shock SA国际影视传媒� try to float or lightly tread and keep your head above water,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Next, attempt 10 minutes of SA国际影视传媒渕eaningful movementSA国际影视传媒� towards shore or a boat.

SA国际影视传媒淎fter 10 minutes, your strength and dexterity are greatly reduced,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Finally, recognize that after one hour, you may become SA国际影视传媒渦nconscious due to hypothermia.SA国际影视传媒�

If you are travelling with somebody else, and they fall through the ice, Lalonde said you should not attempt to rescue them yourself, as you may also end up in the water.

SA国际影视传媒淐all 911, verbally encourage [the person in the water] to clam down and focus on their breathing,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚f it is safe, without putting yourself at risk, you can assist them with a throwing or reaching assist, like a lifejacket or a rope.

SA国际影视传媒淚f they are able to get out of the water, assist them in removing wet clothing and treat them for hypothermia.SA国际影视传媒�

Above all, Lalonde said, itSA国际影视传媒檚 important to remember that SA国际影视传媒渋ce is never 100 per cent safe,SA国际影视传媒� whether itSA国际影视传媒檚 in the fall, winter, or spring, so precautions should always be taken.